Not 4 sale

Saturday

Apr 5, 2014 at 12:17 PM

Okay, so maybe this isn’t the most reasoned and deliberate argument I’ve ever put forward. I’ll fully confess I haven’t done my homework and read the several standard sources explaining why this latest Supreme Court decision is so horrible (or the counter arguments that say isn’t). I’ve scanned the headlines mostly and seen the social media memes. Cash equals speech, I’m told —and our political process is forever lost to corruption —to the bidding of the highest bidder. We’re sold out.

Maybe my reaction this morning is symptomatic of outrage fatigue —like we were discussing the other day— but I have to wonder to myself where all the howls of indignation are going to get us. Maybe if I was in a different mood I’d be musing on (and grousing about) the equation of money and speech. I do think that is mistaken. But I also know it isn’t the only mistaken notion in this great republic of ours —not the first or the last. Today, this morning, the thought occurs our politics can’t be bought and sold if we the citizens don’t sell it out, don’t treat our politicians or our political ideals, our principles, as product to be bought and sold —if we don’t treat our ideals, our communities, our fellow citizens as branded commodities to embrace or disdain —to buy into or sell short. That, more than any campaign finance law or constitutional argument, would effectively negate the corrupting power of money in our politics. If only we were to go about our duties of responsible citizenship —not for sale.

Now, I’m off to answer all the emails waiting in in my queue —asking me to fight to keep money from corrupting our politics —by sending in my small donation.

Tom Driscoll

Okay, so maybe this isn’t the most reasoned and deliberate argument I’ve ever put forward. I’ll fully confess I haven’t done my homework and read the several standard sources explaining why this latest Supreme Court decision is so horrible (or the counter arguments that say isn’t). I’ve scanned the headlines mostly and seen the social media memes. Cash equals speech, I’m told —and our political process is forever lost to corruption —to the bidding of the highest bidder. We’re sold out.

Maybe my reaction this morning is symptomatic of outrage fatigue —like we were discussing the other day— but I have to wonder to myself where all the howls of indignation are going to get us. Maybe if I was in a different mood I’d be musing on (and grousing about) the equation of money and speech. I do think that is mistaken. But I also know it isn’t the only mistaken notion in this great republic of ours —not the first or the last. Today, this morning, the thought occurs our politics can’t be bought and sold if we the citizens don’t sell it out, don’t treat our politicians or our political ideals, our principles, as product to be bought and sold —if we don’t treat our ideals, our communities, our fellow citizens as branded commodities to embrace or disdain —to buy into or sell short. That, more than any campaign finance law or constitutional argument, would effectively negate the corrupting power of money in our politics. If only we were to go about our duties of responsible citizenship —not for sale.

Now, I’m off to answer all the emails waiting in in my queue —asking me to fight to keep money from corrupting our politics —by sending in my small donation.